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Kujala's photograph, entitled "Checkin Cows," depicts a rancher riding through the sagebrush checking on cattle in northwestern Colorado. She received a $150 prize for her grand prize award.

"Photographers from across the state and the nation submitted entries showcasing Colorado agriculture," said Wendy White, marketing specialist at the Colorado Department of Agriculture. "It is always so exciting to see how photographers capture the diversity of agriculture in Colorado."

From wheat fields and cattle round-ups to farming families and ranch work, the winning pictures showcased the spirit of Colorado agriculture. The winners were selected from more than 100 entries based on relation to Colorado agriculture, creativity and technical quality.

Winning photographs will be displayed in the Beede-Hamil Agriculture Building at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling. They are also available online at www.coloradoagriculture.com.

The 2013 contest is now under way. Photographers can enter their pictures through Dec. 31, in five categories: agritourism, crops, livestock, people and open professional. Started in 1998, the "Colorado ... It's Agricultural" Photography Contest is sponsored by the AgInsights Committee, Colorado Department of Agriculture and Northeastern Junior College.

If you own one acre or more of land in Eagle County, or manage any amount of land locally, you are cordially invited to the Eagle County Fairgrounds Old Exhibit Hall tonight at 5:30 for the combined annual meetings of the Eagle County Soil and Water District along with the Eagle County Cattleman's Association.

Following the meetings at 6 p.m., two speakers will offer presentations and a free lasagna dinner will be served. Dinner will be catered by Pastatively.

Tambi Katieb of the Eagle River Watershed Council will speak about the work being conducted on the Colorado River Restoration by Colorado State University and Rachel Reimholz of Heritage Hollow Ranch will speak about Holistic Herd Management.

Please RSVP to Katie at 970-390-1983 to be included for dinner.

Eagle Valley High School invites local residents to attend a Community Potluck and International Food Tasting event next Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the school cafeteria.

The cost of admission is free for anyone who brings a dish to share representative of his or her heritage, or $5 per person at the door.

Gypsum restaurants will be sampling items from their menus. These restaurants include the Ekahi Hawaiian Grill; Manto's Italian restaurant; Strecker's German deli; Tu Casa Mexican restaurant; and Heidi's Brooklyn Deli. Come eat delicious food prepared by community members from around the world.

Evening entertainment following the potluck will include a dodgeball tournament at 7 p.m. These events are being hosted during EVHS's second annual Unity Week.

Other events throughout the week include a presentation by Rachel's Challenge, a nationwide organization that promotes spreading compassion among school age youth, as well as an awareness fair throughout the week to raise awareness about diversity issues.

If it's February and it's cold, then it's time for another Russian classic.

This year's selection for the Eagle Public Library Russian literature reading club is "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov.

Ranked at No. 4 in the list of the Modern Library 100 Best Novels (2007), "Lolita" was written in English first (1955) and then translated into Russian (1965) by the author. It was written during summer butterfly collecting trips in the Western United States and provided Nabokov financial security for the rest of his life.

Born in St. Petersburg in 1899, Nabokov was part of a prominent family of the minor Russian nobility. The events of the October Revolution and ensuing civil war in Russia forced the family's emigration to England and then Berlin. In 1937, he and his Jewish-Russian wife, Vera, and son, Dmitri, emigrated to the United States. Nabokov became a comparative literature lecturer at Wellesley College in 1941 and later became a one-man Russian Department there. His life was spent as an academic, entomologist and writer, with as much facility in the English language as in Russian and French.

Book club participants will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 26, for celebratory zakuski (hors d'hoeuvres) and discussion. Register your email with Jaci Spuhler (jspuhler@evld.org) before Feb. 1 to receive daily fascinating facts about this classic. Copies of "Lolita" are available at the circulation desk at the Eagle Public Library. For more information, call 970-328-8800.

Alpine Bank will celebrate its 40th anniversary throughout 2013 with its official birthday landing yesterday, Jan. 23.

The bank has big plans to commemorate the landmark and say 'thank you' to its customers, communities, shareholders and employees for four decades of service.

To start, the bank is celebrating 40 years with 40 nights of Colorado getaways in its Backyard Treasure Giveaway contest. The contest features 20 two-night Colorado excursions to places such as Breckenridge, Glenwood Springs, Gateway Canyons, Durango, Steamboat Springs and Aspen to name a few.

The first Alpine Bank was opened in Carbondale 1973 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony presided over by Alpine Bank founder and Chairman, Bob Young, Mayor Charles Kelly, and bank Director Wally deBeque. The ribbon was made from 50 silver dollars and the money was later donated to Mt. Sopris Park beginning the bank's tradition of community philanthropy and involvement.

"It was the Carbondale community that gave Alpine bank its start. That location, which opened with $2 million in total assets in 1973, has now grown to a bank with assets over $130 million today," said Bob (Young). "We will be forever grateful to that community and our customers who provided the impetus for what we are today. Likewise, the support of all our Colorado communities to the bank as well as the bank support to our communities has resulted in a win/win relationship that we hope will continue for another 40 years at least."

To learn more about Alpine Bank and its community commitment, or the bank's 40th anniversary plans, visit www.alpinebank.com.

Influenza activity is increasing across the country and has resulted in several hospitalizations locally. Eagle County Public Health and Vail Valley Medical Center are joining the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) in urging everyone who has not yet been vaccinated this season to get a flu shot.

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that can range from mild to severe, and in some cases cause death. Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, body aches, chills, fatigue, and in some instances, diarrhea and vomiting. Older people, young children, and those with certain health conditions are at higher risk for serious flu complications.

Vaccinating against the flu is the single best way to protect yourself and others from the illness. Community members can contact their pharmacy, or their health care provider, or Eagle County Public Health to inquire about the flu shot. In addition, use these tips to stop the spread of flu:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Avoid close contact with sick people.

• If you are sick with flu-like illness, limit your contact with others and stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone, except to get medical care.

According to the CDPHE, you should seek care immediately if any of the following symptoms are present:

Children

• Fast breathing or trouble breathing

• Bluish skin color

• Not drinking enough fluids

• Not waking up or not interacting

• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held

• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worsened cough

The U.S. Forest Service, Small Business Administration and the Colorado Procurement Technical Assistance Center invite all small business owners interested in providing products and services to support wildland fire fighting efforts to attend a free workshop Thursday, Feb. 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. in Grand Junction.

Services and equipment needed to support wildland firefighting include meals, copiers, heavy equipment, refrigerated trailers, ice, hardware, showers, toilets, hand-washing stations and lodging. The workshop will offer information about regulations, contracts, ordering and payment processes, and the types of services needed to support fire crews.

Vail's Women's Empowerment Workshop of Vail has teamed with True Life Coaching and Retreats based in Durango to create an exhilarating week-long adventure retreat called "The Heroine's Journey."

The event is planned in the heart of the rainforest jungle on the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica, March 22-29

Based in Luna Lodge and Spa, the retreat combines the inner journey with plenty of outward adventures, including hiking to waterfalls, horseback riding on the beach, yoga, and hiking in pristine Corcovado National Park. Meals, beach time and a spa treatment add to the rejuvenating experience of The Heroine's Journey. Pre-event life coaching prepares participants to gain the most from their experience.

Group coaching, before and during the retreat, one-on-one consults with facilitators Susie Kincade and Victoria FittsMilgrim, and solo time for integrating, resting and playing make this nature adventure retreat highly unique and dynamic.

"The Heroine's Journey speaks to women of all ages at any point and in any transition in life," said Kincade. "The private and group coaching, personal explorations, solo time during the retreat, and the exquisite setting of pristine jungle, waterfalls, beach and tropical wildlife make this retreat an outstanding adventure and value. It's really unique."

Registration for The Heroine's Journey is limited and is nearly full. Learn more and register at www.truelifecoach.net or call 877-595-8622.

• The Eagle Ranch Fitness Club's Moonlight Snowshoe program continues this Saturday with a walk led by Carrie Larson and Jenny Cobb. Anyone who wants to join the moonlight walk should meet at the fitness center at 7 p.m. A nice cup of hot chocolate will be waiting for participants after they finish the excursions.

• Russ Chapman, who "stomps and sings highly original songs with a distinct New Orleans flair" will perform at Bonfire Brewing this Friday, Jan. 25 from 8 to 11 p.m.

• The Porchlight Players will present "The Full Monty," as the third annual Valentine's Day Dinner Theater production. Performance dates are Friday through Sunday, Feb. 8-10, and Friday through Sunday, Feb. 15-17, at the Brush Creek Pavilion in Eagle Ranch. Performance tickets include dinner, dessert, three drinks (beer, wine or soft drinks) plus the show, for $50 per person. All shows have sold out the last two years, so be sure to get your place at the table. Tickets are available at the group's website, www.porchlightplayers.com. Email Ann at ann.olin@porchlightplayers for more information.

• Do you have international travel plans for 2013? Local residents can apply for United States passports at the town of Gypsum offices, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Passport pictures are available for $10. For additional information, visit the town's website at www.townofgypsum.com or call Town Clerk Danette Schlegel at 970-524-7514. All the necessary passport forms can be found at travel.state.gov.